FCT Administration begins registration, licensing of tourism, hospitality establishments

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The FCT Administration (FCTA) Social Development Secretariat (SDS) has secured ministerial approval to commence the registration and licensing of all tourism and hospitality establishments in the territory.

The Mandate Secretary of SDS, Mrs Hadiza Kabir, made this known at the tourism stakeholders sensitisation forum, held at the Community Hall of the SDS, on Thursday in Abuja.

She said that the ministerial authority and sensitisation were very necessary, adding, “because new areas that require to be incorporated under the tourism legislation have emerged.

“They include the issue of multiple taxations, contravention of Land Use Act and other issues.”

Kabir also stated that the ministerial approval secured would guide the operation of the Department of Tourism, SDS, and ease the implementation of its mandatory function which was hitherto lying fallow.

Kabir said that the registration of hospitality outfits implied the legal act of granting rights to a hospitality business to operate in the FCT geographical space in exchange for mild payment.

She said that presently, the Tourism Department of the SDS had data from previous enumeration exercises showing over 3,000 Hotel establishments, with more coming up daily in the territory.

Kabir said: “The Tourism Act, amplified by the ministerial approval/ authority will ensure the enforcement of the act.

“This will make it mandatory for all tourism and hospitality establishments in the FCT to be registered and licensed at a fee, without which they cannot operate in the territory.

NAN